Pen Name:
David F. Menicucci
Genres:
Articles, Biography, Genealogy, History, Science, Engineering, Cooking, How-to
Social Media:
Other Contact:
dmenicucci1@comcast.net, dfmenic@UNM.edu
Bio
David Menicucci is a professional researcher, retired from Sandia National Labs and a former research faculty member at the University of New Mexico. He was raised in an Italian family in Albuquerque, NM, where he and his wife live. He has published numerous technical and popular press articles and two books.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Saturday, June 20, 2026: Workshop (in person and via Zoom)
How to Use Modern AI Platforms to Conduct Research for Writing Fiction and Nonfiction
In this workshop, David F. Menicucci will explain how AI works, the extent of its power in information search, its self-learning capability, and its limitations. He will demystify the technology and explain where it can be best applied in research. In-class exercises will guide students in using modern AI platforms to investigate topics of their choice. The session will comprise lectures and hands-on applications using various AI platforms, such as Grok or ChatGPT. Students will be expected to use their own computer equipment (ie, phone, laptop) to apply AI to their specific problems. About half of the workshop will be hands-on. At the conclusion, students will understand the basic functions of AI, including how to train them for specific functions. They will know the limitations of the technology and the many ethical, moral, and social issues involved in using AI to generate text, as well as attributing authorship.
For more information, go to the SWW workshop page.
More from David
I am a professional researcher, still volunteering part-time at UNM as a research professor. I have worked on my book Two Centuries to Freedom since October 2012, to be released in early March 2025 (Sunstone Press). I have employed a large variety of investigative techniques, especially regarding Italian and other foreign historical records.
After Two Centuries is published, I will offer workshops to SWW members on historical research and writing techniques. Incidentally, I include an Appendix in Two Centuries that discusses research. My workshops will expand on the appendix, and I will use the book as an example of the assimilation of diverse sets of information into a story of interest and historical value. I will be conducting workshops at the Genealogical Center at the Albuquerque Public Library, UNM Center for SW Research, the Jemez Springs Public Library, Rio Rancho Public Library, and Los Alamos Public Library.
My main objective in life is education. I educate by writing books and articles that sell well and illuminate and explain history and technical information. Of course, I continue to do my technical publications in association with my research at UNM. All of my professional research experience will be brought to my workshops.
Books
Title: Two Centuries to Freedom: The True Story of One Family’s Two-Century Migration from Lucca, Italy, to New Mexico and Other American States
Publisher: Sunstone Press (March 12, 2025)
Genre: Nonfiction: History, Genealogy
Two Centuries to Freedom presents the true story of the struggles of a single, destitute Lucca, Italy family over its two-hundred-year odyssey to capture the American dream. The story begins in 1786 and is told in the context of history so the reader can know what drew them to America, why they left Italy, and their goals. The detailed story begins in 1910 when a family used its life savings to pay a shady Padrono to hustle their two teenage sons to America. It follows these two men and their families over several states as they established their homes in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Their saga reveals new history, such as Albuquerque’s first Gas War and the making of Senator Pete Domenici. It contains over a hundred historical photos, maps and diagrams. It has dozens of detailed personal stories ranging from glory to despair. It mentions almost every Italian family in Albuquerque between 1900 and 1950. The work is based on official records, publications and first-hand accounts.
Available for Sale
Nonfiction Works in Progress
Title: The Culinary Contributions from Albuquerque’s Early Italian Immigrants; Over 100 Original Recipes and Techniques
Genre: History, Cooking, Genealogy
Expected release: February 2027
Status: 50% complete
Screenplays in Progress
Title: Two Centuries to Freedom
Genre: History, Genealogy
Expected release: 2027
Status: 50% complete
A screenplay of a chapter from the book Two Centuries has been drafted and is being refined.